Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Add To Goodreads: When Rachelle was fifteen she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

REVIEW

I just love Hodge’s writing so much. After reading Cruel Beauty earlier this year, I knew that I had to get my hands on this. She creates vivid, medieval worlds where monsters and magic have a hold on the people. An though this is different from her Cruel Beauty Universe, it still has the dark tone that I love – if not darker.

Rachelle is not your average heroine. I love the mythology of forestborn and bloodbound. And while this is a darker twist on Red Riding Hood, it is very much a unique fairy tale. My only problem was the love triangle-ish feel with the Rachelle, Erec and Armand. I could have totally lived without that because, 1. I DO NOT LIKE EREC and 2. I wanted this story to be totally focused on Rachelle’s badassery. No need to add the romance.

Aside from that little romance hiccup, I loved this. It started out interesting and I knew that there was more to look forward to. The action was appropriately placed within scenes. This is not some happily-ever-after story. It’s full of monsters, magic, blood and guts; and I loved it all. Hodge’s writing is great and I love the way she describes people, places, things. I really could picture the the great forest in this bubble-like mirage surrounding Rachelle’s world.

While there’s not much of a comparison between Crimson Bound and Red Riding Hood, you know that it’s there. Especially, the beginning of the story. If you like retellings and you need a complete overhaul of the original story, then Crimson Bound will be a great read. Beautiful writing and great plot. I would love to say I loved the characters, but sadly I can’t. Rachelle is very likable, but once the romance started to really get going, she wasn’t all that interesting to me anymore. Not to say that I don’t like romance in fantasy, because I actually love it. Just not with this story. Still, I definitely recommend this one, as well as Cruel Beauty.

43 thoughts on “Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge”

I believe I have one or both books by this author and I have them on my list of books to finally read. I’ve hear great things about both so I hope I can fit at least one this year. Glad to see you liked it!

So glad to see you liked this one! Hodge has such a beautiful writing style and I love Little Red Riding Hood re-tellings so I’m super excited to start reading this one. Even though I cringed a little at hearing there’s a love triangle-ish thing going on here. I really don’t like love triangles.

I’m freestylin’ this year so maybe this will make my pile one of these days. I do love medieval fantasy and the sound of all those forestborn and bloodbond. I hope I like the romance-y stuff though, it’s all these juvenile love stories that turns me off YA

Already had this on the list b/c its a fairy tale retelling, but argh, love triangle…I don’t like those either. Doesn’t sound like it was too dominant in the story based on what you say and I like the idea of a dark, gritty tale. Nice review, Lekeisha!

I think I ruined myself with this one because I was expecting a Cruel Beauty Part II which it wasn’t at all. I agree about Erec. That back and forth of “love triangle or not a love triangle?” was super unnecessary!

I want to read this series! I really like the sound of how the world building is done so well and the author never fails to make a good twist in the story. Also, look at that cover ❤ It's a shame about the love triangle not working out for you. I have been impartial to them lately, so maybe it won't bother me?

I’ve had her books (this one and Cruel Beauty) on my TBR for a while! I’ve heard such great reviews from everyone. Honestly, I still don’t know which to tackle first, but I think the Red Riding Hood connection interests me more so it might be this one. Even if it’s nothing like the fairy tale, I want to see how the author tackles it 🙂

Overtime I see this book girl, I can’t help but take a moment to just STARE at the book cover like a total creeper. (I’m definitely not a creeper) hehe but, you know what I’m saying? Eh…a love triangle you say? Yeah, Keionda no likey.. I’m not a fan at all of love triangles since Twilight. Don’t get me wrong, I love the romance and everything but since you say there’s not THAT MUCH in here, idk girl… Now I’m kind of on the edge with this book. But, I want to read it due to the fact that it’s a retelling of Red Riding Hood. ❤

I still haven’t read anything by this author but I definitely need to start! And I definitely think you and I are on the same page about love triangles, especially when they involve annoying characters that I’m not invested in at all. I also would love more books where there was just focus on the bad ass woman. An author has to be really good with the feels and make me not care that it’s a love triangle because the romance is just THAT GOOD. But that doesn’t happen that often…
Thanks for making me aware of this book!

I really enjoyed the author’s debut myself and I was excited to read this one, but I lost interest after I heard the description of the romance. It feels like it was forced a little bit and took away from the characters which is a shame because the story sounds great. I think I might do the audio for this one one of these days.
Lovely review, Lekeisha! 🙂

Great review, Lekeisha! I haven’t read anything by this author before but you made this book sound wonderful. I love the fact that it is a Little Red Riding Hood retelling. I will be on the lookout for this one.

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I love to read, drink coffee, eat pickles and I'm determined to watch every movie that was made before 1981. I'm sort of an introvert, and I stay to myself. People in this world are cruel, so I'll just let them have it. I prefer fictional worlds and it's inhabitants!! Catch me watching Game of Thrones!

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